Bridging the Gap
Interactive Math Journey, Number Munchers, and Pre-Civilization Bronze Age all are educational video games that I played growing up. It is my goal to create phenomenal resources like these to gamify learning for our modern day students.
Before MAET
Erickson Hall - F irst Day of My Masters Degree
The students I nurture are growing up in a world where technology is ever present in their day-to-day lives. Technology is one of the greatest assets we can utilize in our teaching, yet so many struggle to effectively introduce and implement it. We need to be preparing our students and teachers for the real-world’s continuous technological advancements.
It was for this reason that I pursued a Master of Arts in Educational Technology. My goal was to aid new and struggling teachers with the skills needed to fully utilize these technologies. I wanted to support people in the career I love and be a trailblazer for others to follow in my steps. My ambitions were to engage future students in more effective ways, assist teachers in their integration of technology, and together build a better community that teaches the importance of when, why, and how to use technology for all.
During MAET
I began the MAET program by researching the integration of educational video games into the classroom. I learned about the literacy of video games and the importance of connecting gameplay with content in fun/meaningful ways. In addition, I designed both a math video game that teaches multiplication/division strategies and an Augmented Reality (AR) technology that teaches fans the rules of football (see images on the right).
As I progressed through MAET, my goal has shifted from being strictly teaching focused to that of an educational resource designer. The research that goes into designing products involves knowing your intended audience. Like any teacher creating a lesson, it is important to know who you are teaching it to. As indicated from my research, teachers aren’t going to use pointless resources. This idea has constantly stayed with me throughout the program.
Gameday Glasses make a live game look like a Madden video game
Prototype of Mountaineer Math
After MAET
Initially, I planned on staying in teaching pre-MAET. With more ideas and improved technology integration, the path towards becoming a master teacher is laid before me. However, I think this path also branches out beyond the classroom. I feel like I have a lot to offer the profession I love through the creation of great resources like educational video games and/or technologies. My goal has always been to help my students and support my fellow teachers. I believe my talents will be best served as an instructional designer.
Before I entered MAET, a colleague of mine commented that there were limited math games that students enjoy. I took this to heart when creating Mountaineer Math remembering the pains I experienced as a first-year teacher. It is through my experience as a teacher that I became a better game designer and it is through my studies as a game designer that I became a better teacher. I want to be the bridge between gaming and education and if given the opportunity I know I will make a difference.